Leota M. Kassler

Leota M. Kassler, age 90, died on June 20, 2023 in hospice at the Methodist Manor in Storm Lake, Iowa. A Celebration of Life will take place Monday, June 26, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at the Lakeside Presbyterian Church in Storm Lake. A private family burial will be in the Chariton Memorial Cemetery in Chariton, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lakeside Presbyterian Church in Storm Lake. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Leota Marie Kassler (Hay) was born to George and Mildred Hay in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Her father, who had been orphaned as a child, was a carpenter and her mother, valedictorian of her high school class, worked odd jobs as needed to help support the family. Leota’s roots were humble and meager. The Great Depression was in full swing, and FDR had just been sworn in as President when Leota was born on February 26 in 1933. Her family struggled financially on a farm in Bertram, Iowa while Leota attended a one room schoolhouse. Her family moved to Marion, Iowa when she was in fifth grade. Leota never forgot her humble roots and was an advocate for those who shared them. Leota learned sewing from her mother and enjoyed many related crafts including quilting. For a few years she worked at the Sampler, a fabric store, in Chariton, Iowa and was active in making quilts for the First Lutheran Church and later at Lakeside Presbyterian Church in Storm Lake where she lived after her husband passed away. She donated numerous quilts and sewing projects to those in need. Leota attended Marion High School in Marion, Iowa. In high school she studied advanced secretarial skills and was a member of the homecoming court. She was also active in the Marion High School band as an accomplished clarinetist. She competed for the first chair clarinet position with John Kassler whom she eventually married. Leota’s secretarial skills came in handy. She was able to apply them during the first few years of her marriage while her husband served in Army Intelligence in Baltimore, Maryland. She also wrote Christmas and birthday present lists in shorthand so that her family could not decipher them. Leota’s high school education is complemented by her attendance at the University of Iowa where her humanitarian leanings led her to study social work. She then became active in charitable work in the communities in which she lived. She was active in the First United Methodist Church and First Lutheran Church in Chariton, Iowa. For many years she took care of rose beds at Chariton Specialty Care. This earned her Chariton’s distinction of Volunteer of the Year, which she humbly accepted. Leota was honored to work as a hospice volunteer for seven years and enjoyed those that she cared for. Leota taught private piano lessons in her home in Chariton, Iowa for many years. Many of her students became quite accomplished. Some continued to study at the college level and others are still active as pianists for churches and high schools or play for pleasure. Leota also accompanied numerous high school instrumental students for Iowa state solo and ensemble festivals. Leota maintained a household raising two children and supporting her husband, a noted high school band instructor for three decades in Chariton, Iowa. In this endeavor she chaperoned band trips and experienced the life of a spouse of a public figure. She found time to be active in Chariton’s First United Methodist Church and First Lutheran Church. Leota loved spending time outdoors, working in her yard and caring for her flowers. She was a nature lover and had many a picnic at Red Haw State Park to view the beautiful trees. She had a special place in her heart for animals, and most notably loved dogs, especially rescue black cocker spaniels. Most of all she loved spending time with family and friends. Leota will be deeply missed by all who were touched by her gracious spirit. Leota is survived by children Barbara (Mike) Wells, Storm Lake and David Kassler, Rochester, Minnesota, grandson Benjamin Wells (Stephanie Niec), sisters-in-law Joyce Hay, Strawberry Point, Iowa, Joan Hay, San Diego, California, Kay Micheletti, Golden, Colorado and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Leota was preceded in death by her parents, her husband John, and her brothers Donald and Robert.

Leota M. Kassler

February 26, 1933 - June 20, 2023